Vero Beach, FL - Saturday, January 5th, 2002: Deep Sky Technologies, Inc., today announced the release of the second public beta of TCP Server Deux for Macintosh and Windows. TCP Server Deux is a 4th Dimension component which provides a cross-platform, flexible TCP level server. TCP Server Deux allows 4D developers to run one or more higher level protocol servers in a single 4D database without have to code for multiple listeners, threading, messaging, or many of the other functional elements that often complicate custom servers in 4th Dimension.

With TCP Server Deux, a 4th Dimension developer can easily develop a server available through multiple protocols. For instance, having a Domain Name Server with an integrated web interface is a simple matter; the same is true of an email server, available through both SMTP and POP3, with a HTTP interface over a custom port for administering the settings and accounts in the email server. TCP Server Deux handles all of the listeners, threading, multiple processes, and communications necessary in a custom server written in 4D. By handling all of these issues as a TCP server, and with suitable hooks available for processing of requests and setting responses, it is then a simple matter to merely write parsers for higher level protocols that reside on the TCP layer.

"TCP Server Deux providers a powerfully flexible yet simple TCP level server for the 4th Dimension developer community", said Steven G. Willis, President, Deep Sky Technologies, Inc. "With TCPsd, 4D developers now have the flexibility to incorporate multiple, higher level protocol servers into 4D with much less effort than previously required. All of the threading, process handling, and listener management is handled in the TCPsd component. This provides a solid basis for us to provide higher level protocol servers with minimal effort to the 4D developer community."

The new beta adds significant speed improvements in handling TCP
connections. Also, a comprehensive diagnostic time logger has been
added to aid 4th Dimension developers identify the response times of
incremental functional units within their 4D based applications.

TCP Server Deux works with other components already available from
Deep Sky Technologies, Inc. The TCP Deux component is used for all TCP
level access within the TCP Server Deux component. And, of course, the
BASh component is used by TCP Server Deux for a lot of the basic
functionality available within the server component.

TCP Server Deux does require a robust TCP plugin for access to the TCP
communication layer from within 4th Dimension. Though TCP Deux does
provide compatibility with 4D Internet Commands, unfortunately 4D IC
does not provide a robust, and asynchronous, TCP listener routine.
Because of this, TCP Server Deux only works with Internet ToolKit
(ITK) v2.0.x and v2.5.x. If used with ITK v2.5.x in conjunction with
an ITK SSL Server license, full access to the SSL layer is available
for all functionality within TCP Server Deux.

The beta, officially called TCP Server Deux v1.0.0b02, is open to the
public. The full v1 release of TCP Server Deux is scheduled for full
release by the end of January, 2002. A full manual, explaining every
call and feature available in TCP Server Deux, is included with the
component.

Features in the TCP Server Deux component

The functionality available in the TCP Server Deux component includes:

Full support for multiple protocols services;

Server management for any combinatins of ports and IP address;

Settable server throttle greater sharing of CPU;

Full internal management of TCP listeners;

Internal management of 4D process for maximum performance;

Dynamic creation of server services;

Procedural starting and stopping of all server functionality;

Compatibility of SSL layer when using ITK v2.5.x or above;

Customizable hooks for processing requests.

Pricing and Availability

TCP Server Deux will be released commercially with separate development and deployment licensing. Development licensing will include all updates released within a year of purchase for free and allows for unlimited development by a single developer for a period of one year from the date of purchase. Renewals of the development license will be provided at a discounted price. Deployment licensing is a one time fee per application which will allow deployments to run for an indefinite period of time.

The pricing for the different options available for purchasing TCP Server Deux are as follows:

Developer License, 1 year (includes 1 deployment)

$195.00

Developer License, 1 year extension

$95.00

Deployment License, 1 pack

$195.00

Deployment License, 5 pack

$795.00

Deployment License, 10 pack

$1295.00

* All prices are in US dollars.

The TCP Server Deux component can be purchased directly from Deep Sky Technologies, Inc. Purchases can be made directly online at:

Based in Vero Beach, Florida, Deep Sky Technologies, Inc., provides software development, consulting, hosting, and colocation services. Founded in 1997, Deep Sky Technologies, Inc., develops and supports a wide variety of software development tools and services to aid in the creation of custom applications and web sites for the Macintosh and Windows platform. For more information, please visit our home page at: